The Davis Square Community

Last day for West Branch Library: Saturday, November 17

2018-11-02T18:26:26Z

Posted by: ron_newman

The West Branch Library will close for more than a year of renovation and reconstruction starting on November 18. The Library invites all of us to an open house on Saturday, November 17, from 10 am to 1 pm, to give it a proper goodbye.

A small temporary branch will open on the second floor of the TAB building, 167 Holland Street, starting on Monday, December 3. You can pick up or drop off books there. (The book drop at the West Branch will close as well.)

For more information, see this page.

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West Branch Library Renovation Meeting

2018-01-07T19:39:46Z

Posted by: nomacmac

West Branch Library Renovation Meeting, Monday, January 8th 6-8pm, Community Baptist Church, 31 College

Copied from the Somerville Public Library Facebook page:

Please join Ward 6 Alderman Lance Davis, the Somerville Capital Projects and Planning department, the Somerville Public Library, and our Design Team to discuss the updated plans for the West Branch Library.

For more information, contact Robert Cassano at rcassano@somervillema.gov or (617) 625-6600 x5120 or visit https://www.somervillema.gov/events/2018/01/08/west-branch-library-community-meeting.

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"Citizens Against Sanctuary Cities" meeting, Wednesday 7/12

2017-07-01T12:18:44Z

Posted by: ron_newman

The Somerville Republican City Committee (really, that's a thing?) has scheduled a "Citizens Against Sanctuary Cities" meeting for Wednesday, July 12, at 6 pm at the Somerville main library.

The organizers keep hiding and then re-showing the guest list. The last time it was visible, many of the people attending it or interested in it were people I know who are definitely not on their side.

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West Branch Library Renovation meeting

2016-11-11T19:28:00Z

Posted by: nomacmac.livejournal.com

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Ward 6 Alderman Lance Davis Invite all interested neighbors and community members to a meeting which will give an overall project update on the West Branch Library Renovation

West Branch Library Community Meeting
Monday, November 14th 2016 @ 6:30pm
at 31 College Ave, Somerville Community Baptist Church

City officials, Somerville Public Library, designLAB architects and Design Technique, Inc. would like you to come support your local library and help us with continued community input on key design features at the West Branch Library.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.

For more information: Capital Projects and Planning Department at 617-625-6600 ext. 5120.

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Betsy Allen, at 617-625-6600 x2323 or BAllen@somervillema.gov.

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Did anyone here go to last night's West Branch Library redevelopment meeting?

2016-06-02T01:13:00Z

Posted by: ron_newman

And if you did, could you please report back here? Thanks.

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Somerville West Branch Library Renovation/Garden Destruction

2016-05-26T00:43:00Z

Posted by: jbcampbe.livejournal.com

Greetings Davisonians!

You may have heard rumors about the proposed West Branch Library Renovation Project and the tree and garden destruction it would involve. Here’s an overview of what’s going on:

The West Branch of the Somerville Public Library is in drastic need of renovation. All agree on that. However, the current project design also calls for the paving over of the gardens presently surrounding the building, replacing them with a “low-maintenance plaza space,” and the construction of a meeting room extension onto the existing building. Here is a link to the design plans:

http://www.somervillema.gov/sites/default/files/160229_Somerville%20WBL%20Community%20Meeting_FINAL.pdf

The plans for the present garden areas are disturbing. Over the decades, the Somerville Garden Club (which is not associated in any way with this opposition) has designed and maintained lovely gardens around the library and has planted several significant trees, including Somerville’s only Dawn Redwood, two Columnar Beeches, and a Fernleaf Beech, among others. All are rare and mature and are great landscape features.

The current design plan would remove all of these trees.

The proposed plan also raises a number of other issues:

First: it flies in the face of the City of Somerville’s policy of maintaining and acquiring new open green spaces. The past 20–30 years have been significant in the history of the city. The advocacy for green spaces, street trees, and gardening under Mike Capuano’s and Joe Curtatone’s terms as progressive mayors who actively encouraged the development of public green spaces and private gardens, has been a glorious period of renewal. Their advocacy of gardening contests and awards and their hiring of a city Senior Planner/Landscape Developer to help implement green plans and acquire new green areas have been tremendously revitalizing throughout the city.

All of these changes—including the development of the West and Main Branches of the Library—are as valuable a part of Somerville’s history as are the historical monuments and homes. These sites deserve preservation, and not an opportunistic “update” of a site which is a monument to the best changes brought about during the past years of Somerville history. The West Branch Library building was designed by McLean and Wright of Boston, and was built in 1906–09 with funding from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie and the city. It is the city’s best example of Classical Revival architecture, also exhibiting Beaux Arts details that were then in fashion. It was the first branch library in Somerville .

Second: the projected concrete plaza area would not be low maintenance, as claimed, but would, rather, be much higher maintenance than the gardens have been. There are mulberry trees on adjacent lots that would cause considerable mess. And most of the garden maintenance is done by SGC members, aside from occasional mowing.

Third: the projected plaza would be redundant, since there is already a nicely paved plaza area across the street from the Rite Aid on Highland Ave.

Fourth: the tax burden ($6–8 million) would be substantial, especially at a time when the Green Line Extension and Somerville High School projects are placing additional tax stress on residents.

Fifth: the addition of a meeting/performance space intended to accommodate a hundred people would mean that dozens of people at once would need parking in the Davis Square area. Yes, the Red Line is right there, but many people don’t use the T and/or would be coming from other directions. Traffic and parking problems are already severe in the Davis area—we don’t need more.

Members of the Somerville and Davis Square communities in general and the library property abutters in particular are all opposed to the current design. All parties are in favor of renovations to the existing building—and would be happy to see additional funding granted to upgrade the library’s services. But we oppose any other alterations, except insofar as are needed to make the existing building ADA compliant.

We do appreciate the need for more meeting and performance space in Somerville. But the proposed addition wouldn’t even be good for these, since they would be squeezed into a site not fit for the purpose. Further cramming of the small library lot, increased parking demand, and a considerable tax burden on the residents of Somerville (just at the time when we’re about to be whacked with Green Line and High School project expenses)—all for a project of dubious value that the people don’t really want—all seem like a no-go.

The City Aldermen have received a great many emails and phone calls on this subject, and a community meeting has been scheduled for:

Wednesday June 1, 2016 @ 7:00 pm
TAB Building – 169 Holland Street. Second Floor

This meeting will review and discuss the renovation and scope of library program services in the historic structure. There will be discussion of the community’s preferred landscape alternative. The meeting will discuss the scale and viability of the proposed community room addition. The ultimate objective is a project that meets the goals outlined by the community and garners the support of direct project abutters.

Additionally, people who are interested in this issue should:

1. Make sure they’re on Steve Vitello’s (the Project Manager’s) email list (by calling or emailing him at svitello@somervillema.gov 617-625-6600 x5124).

2. Join the Facebook page created by Janet Campbell on this issue. (https://www.facebook.com/groups/120522718357131/)

3. Join the Google Group moderated by Ulysses Lateiner and Janet Campbell. (https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/somerville-west-branch-library-renovation).

We’ll make sure you’re up to date on what’s going on!

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Friends of the Somerville Public Library Spring Book Sale May 15th-17th - and call for volunteers

2015-04-23T10:29:00Z

Posted by: 10engines.livejournal.com

Hi Folks, James Fox here volunteer President of the Friends - hope to see you at the book sale.

The Friends of the Somerville Public Library will hold their Spring Book Sale on Friday May 15th 12-4 PM, Saturday May 16th 10-4 PM, and Sunday May 17th 1:30-3:30 PM.
The sale will be held at the Central Library located at 79 Highland Avenue (bus #88 or #90). Supporting Members of the Friends (those with memberships of $50 or more) are invited to attend a preview evening on Thursday May 14th from 5-8pm.

( poster and more info )

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"Cooks And Gardeners" book sale March 28 at the Arts at the Armory

2015-03-16T10:47:00Z

Posted by: 10engines.livejournal.com

Attention Cooks and Gardeners!

The Friends of the Somerville Library will be at the Winter Farmers Market in The Somerville Armory March 28 with a HUGE selection of cookery, gardening and landscape architecture books from 1950s to current.

All proceeds benefit the Friends of the Somerville Library and also support the farmer's market SNAP Match Initiative. SNAP payments, the "Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program" formerly known as Food Stamps are accepted and welcomed at the market in an effort to promote healthy food choices. See you there! (191 Highland Ave: bus #88 or #90)

( Poster )

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Community Preservation Act Funding - Public Comment Period

2015-01-15T18:33:00Z

Posted by: francescadavis.livejournal.com

I received this email today. This is the fund collected from the property tax surcharge. Those monies will be dispersed and if you have thoughts, now is the time to be heard.

Good evening,

The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) received 15 applications for Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds totaling $8.8 million in December and wants to hear from you about which should receive funding. Please send your comments to Emily Monea at emonea@somervillema.gov or Emily Monea c/or SomerStat, 93 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143.

You can review the project proposals HERE as well as the applicants’ presentations from the community meetings. Comments will be accepted through 5 p.m. on Wednesday, January 31st.

Please forward this email to anyone who may be interested in joining the CPA conversation.

Best,

Emily

Emily Monea
Community Preservation Act Manager
Mayor’s SomerStat Office
City of Somerville
617.625.6600 x2118
somervillema.gov/cpa

For Email Newsletters you can trust.

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Winter Book Sale at Library was a success. Thank you!

2014-11-10T10:05:00Z

Posted by: 10engines.livejournal.com

A HUGE thank you to YOU our book shoppers, the sale volunteers (including the Somerville High School community service club), and all who helped make this book sale a great one. Our next big push is our annual membership drive... don't worry I'll be telling you more v soon!

Thanks again from the entire Board of the Friends of the Library.

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Friends of S'Ville Library Winter Book Sale (Nov 7-9)

2014-10-22T08:42:00Z

Posted by: 10engines.livejournal.com

The Friends of the Somerville Library are soon holding their next Book Sale! The sale will be held at the Central Library located at 79 Highland Avenue (bus #88 or #90). All proceeds from the book sale are used to support cultural and educational programs at the Library including the popular museum pass program. Leftover books will be donated to local non-profit groups.

Book Sale Hours:
Friday, Nov 7th, 12-4 pm
Saturday, Nov 8th, 10-4 pm
Sunday, Nov 9th, 1:30-3:30 pm

A preview evening for current members of the Friends who have joined at the $50 level or higher will be held on Thursday May 16th, 5-8 pm. Membership may be purchased at the door.
PLUS: we have a pair of ski tickets to WACHUSETT to raffle off over the w/e. THx Crowley family!

( poster )

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Fundraiser at Flatbread on Tuesday, September 30th for The Friends of the Somerville Public Library.

2014-09-24T11:33:00Z

Posted by: 10engines.livejournal.com

Save the date... Please support our upcoming Fundraiser at Flatbread on Tuesday, September 30th for The Friends of the Somerville Public Library.

The Friends will receive a donation for each flatbread pizza sold between 5pm-11pm on that night, including take out. And again we'll feature a free book grab for kids and a wicked raffle (items after the jump);

( Raffle prizes and poster )

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Flatbread FUndraiser to support Friends of the Library. Sept 30.

2014-09-06T20:55:00Z

Posted by: 10engines.livejournal.com

Please support our upcoming Fundraiser at Flatbread on Tuesday, September 30th for The Friends of the Somerville Public Library.

The Friends will receive a donation for each flatbread pizza sold between 5pm-11pm on that night, including take out. Even better!!... as in previous years we will have a small curated book sale and wicked raffle. Gitfs from SkyZone, a pack and tx from the JFK Library, a print from The Old Try and a quart of wood fired VT maple syrup.

( Poster and more )

Funds raised will go to support the Library's popular Museum Passes program, license fees for movie screenings, co-sponsor Somerville Reads and more, so the Library can offer a variety of children's, young adult, and adult programs which range from puppet shows to poetry readings. Think we even had puppets reading poetry once...

Any qusetions please email friendssomervillepubliclibrary@gmail.com

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Ball Square "little library" - Help??

2014-06-05T21:13:00Z

Posted by: 10engines.livejournal.com

Folks, our "little library" took sort of a beating in the wind storm last month... the door got ripped off so I emptied and removed the shelving. Would welcome some ideas or assistance in building it back. Thinking we might re-purpose a kitchen or bathroom cupboard and insert it into the phone box frame. Any carpenters/engineers/tinkerers out there want to get in on this??? Thx James

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Volunteer Thurs / Fri?: Friends of SPL book sale this week

2014-05-12T09:23:00Z

Posted by: 10engines.livejournal.com

We do need one or two more folk to help at the Spring Used Book Sale - this Thursday and Friday 12-4pm. Light work (tidying books mostly) - an hour or 2 would be fantastic. You get paid in books! Works for high-school service hours too. Email friendssomervillepubliclibrary@gmail.com for details.

May 15-18 the Friends of the Somerville Public Library Spring Book Sale is coming up. There is also talk that the bake sale may make a guest appearance on Saturday May 17th too. Again the book sale coincides with PorchFest (nice!) - and we will welcome local band Luddy Mussy to the library...
( poster )

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Amazon will give 0.5% to Friends of the Somerville Public Library (MA) on your purchase

2014-03-21T11:16:00Z

Posted by: 10engines.livejournal.com

Amazon shopper? Course you are. Prime is great... This would work for any registered non-profit (so feel free to share with them) but going to boost for the old Friends of the Somerville Public Library (MA) here... If you are an Amazon shopper they will donate 0.5% of your purchase to your favorite non-profit - including Friends of the Library. Use the smile URL and choose " FRIENDS OF SOMERVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY" (MA) http://smile.amazon.com/ #freemoney #thx

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Cookbook sale at Armory Farmers Market this Saturday (9:30-2pm) - to benefit Friends of the Library

2014-02-06T12:56:00Z

Posted by: 10engines.livejournal.com

This Saturday Feb 8th, over 1,000 cookbooks will be displayed and available at the Somerville Winter Farmer's Market. The Friends of the Somerville Public Library will be at The Armory from 9:30am- 2pm that day with a HUGE selection of cookbooks from 1950's to current day. Buy a cookbook and proceeds benefit the Friends of the Somerville Public Library and also support the farmer's market SNAP Match Initiative. SNAP payments (the "Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program" formerly known as Food Stamps) are accepted and welcomed at the market in an effort to promote healthy food choices. See you there! (191 Highland Ave: bus #88 or #90)

( poster... )

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"Bagels With the Bards" reading Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. Free. Somerville Central Library

2014-01-14T09:16:00Z

Posted by: 10engines.livejournal.com

"Bagels With the Bards Anthologies" (numbers 1-8) are now permanently archived in the Library’s Local History Room, and the Bagel Bards Celebratory Reading commemorates the milestone. Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. Free. Somerville Public Library, 79 Highland Ave., Somerville. 617-623-5000. www.somervillepubliclibrary.org

This literary organization is made up of “poets, novelists, playwrights, poseurs, stumble-bums, and whoever joins us on Saturday mornings at 9 a.m. at the Au Bon Pain in Somerville.”

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Visit the Little Free Libraries of Somerville

2013-12-10T00:20:00Z

Posted by: ron_newman

A Little Free Library is a neighborhood box of books, where anyone can take a book or leave a book for others to read. Somerville has three that I know of:

The Book House at 44 Kidder Avenue, built by Todd Kaplan and Rivkah Lapidus

The Little Library of Ball Square, housed in a converted phone booth in front of True Grounds, 717 Broadway. Akil Williams and James Fox built this for the Friends of the Somerville Public Library, as part of the Somerville Arts Council's and Nave Gallery's Phone Art Box project.

The Little Library of 22 Willoughby Street, built by several neighbors on that street.

( Photos behind this cut )

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Today (right now!) and next 2 days - book sale at Somerville Library

2013-10-25T12:11:00Z

Posted by: 10engines.livejournal.com

The Friends of the Somerville Public Library will hold their Fall Used Book Sale on Friday October 25th 12-4 PM, Saturday October 26th 10-4 PM, and Sunday October 27th 1:30-3:30 PM.

This year’s collection of books for sale strong in History, Literature, and Fiction. Plus this year features a large collection of classic rock vinyl records. Most items are $2. All kids book $1.

All proceeds from the book sale are used to support cultural and educational programs at the library including the popular Museum Pass Program. Leftover books will be donated to local non-profit groups or sold off online. Please contact the Friends to be considered for a book donation - FriendsSomervillePublicLibrary@gmail.com or follow at facebook.com/FriendsOfTheSomervillePublicLibrary. The sale held at the Central Library located at 79 Highland Avenue (bus #88 or #90). Thx.

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Thursday 7pm: local author Sam Baltrusis will read from his book “Ghosts of Cambridge...and Beyond"

2013-10-08T17:04:00Z

Posted by: 10engines.livejournal.com

This Thursday evening (Oct 10) 7-9pm: local author Sam Baltrusis will read from his new book “Ghosts of Cambridge: Haunts of Harvard Square and Beyond”, at the Central Library, 79 Highland Ave.

Hear about apparitions that frighten freshmen in Harvard's Weld Hall, the Revolutionary War ghosts that haunt the estates of Tory Row and the flapper who is said to roam the seats of Somerville Theatre. Using research and firsthand accounts, author Sam Baltrusis delves into ghastly tales of murder, crime and the bizarre happenings in the early days of Cambridge and surrounds to uncover the truth behind some of the city's most historic haunts.

Stay after and meet the author, plus enjoy cider and pumpkin-spice donuts. More info at http://www.somervillepubliclibrary.org/

( Read more... )

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Friends of Somerville Library looking for book sale volunteers

2013-09-16T17:21:00Z

Posted by: 10engines.livejournal.com

The Friends of the Somerville Public Library will hold their Fall Used Book Sale on Friday October 25th 12-4 PM, Saturday October 26th 10-4 PM, and Sunday October 27th 1:30-3:30 PM.

All proceeds from the book sale are used to support cultural and educational programs at the library including the popular Museum Pass Program. Leftover books will be donated to local non-profit groups or sold off online. Please contact the Friends to be considered for a book donation or if are able to assist staffing the sale - Thx! [It is a fairly social time actually, no heavy lifting needed - J]
( Read more... )

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Impact the Future of Davis Square!

2013-09-02T21:57:00Z

Posted by: francescadavis.livejournal.com

An email from Brad Rawson of the city planning department:

Good afternoon,
We are pleased to publish a detailed schedule for the Davis Square design charrette event on September 9^th, 10^th, and 11^th.

Monday, September 9^thLocation: 377 Summer Street (vacant storefront next to Rosebud Diner)

9am – 8pm - public Open Studios
11am – 12pm and 3pm – 8pm – public stakeholder sessions (see flyer for descriptions)

Tuesday, September 10^thLocation: 377 Summer Street

9am – 8pm - public Open Studios
9am – 10am, 11am-12pm and 3:30pm – 7:30pm – public stakeholder sessions (see flyer for descriptions)

Wednesday, September 11^thLocation: 255 Elm Street Street (Davis Square Theatre)

7:30 pm – 9:30 pm – Pin Up Presentation

Please see the flyer for details. And please visit www.somervillebydesign.com, which has recently been reformatted.

From: Davisactiongroup.com

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Rohan "Whole Larder Love" Anderson - Benefit Night for Friends of Somerville Library - June 17

2013-05-22T15:00:00Z

Posted by: 10engines.livejournal.com

First let me say a huge thank you to those that shopped and especially volunteered at the library book sale last weekend.

Now... Please join us on June 17 at this fundraiser for The Friends of the Somerville Public Library: Our guest speaker Rohan Anderson of the book and blog Whole Larder Love will talk about sustainable eating, while demonstrating how to use homegrown food and gathered plants in cookery to suit all ages. Nettle pesto? I hope so! He will discuss recipes from his book and maybe preview some new ones... $15 - tickets via http://igg.me/at/wholelarderlove
( Read more... )

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Friends of the Library | Spring Book Sale this weekend

2013-05-14T11:00:00Z

Posted by: 10engines.livejournal.com

The Friends of the Somerville Public Library will hold their Spring Used Book Sale on Friday May 17th 12-4 PM, Saturday May 18th 10-4 PM, and Sunday May 19th 1:30-3:30 PM. The sale will be held at the Central Library located at 79 Highland Avenue. (Preview evening for current Members of the Friends of the Somerville Public Library at the $50 level on Thursday May 16 from 5-8 pm.) The book sales are a major part of our fundraising - hope to see you! (Friends of the Library newsletter here)

This year’s collection of books for sale includes most categories, but is particularly strong in History, Biography, Arts, Foreign Language, lots of Audio-Video materials and there is always plenty of fiction. Simplified pricing structure too; everything $2, unless children's book then $1, plus premium selections at $5 tabled separately.

All proceeds from the book sale are used to support cultural and educational programs at the library including the popular museum pass program. Leftover books will be donated to local non-profit groups, and redistributed through Better World Books who collect and sell books online to donate books and fund literacy initiatives worldwide.

The Friends of the Somerville Public Library is a not-for-profit organization that helps the library and its branches to provide programs, services and materials not covered by the library's normal operating budget. If you would like to become a member of the Friends, or volunteer to help with the book sale, please contact the Friends by email at: FriendsSomervillePublicLibrary@gmail.com or follow us on FB at https://www.facebook.com/FriendsOfTheSomervillePublicLibrary

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The Davis Square Community

Last day for West Branch Library: Saturday, November 17

West Branch Library Renovation Meeting

"Citizens Against Sanctuary Cities" meeting, Wednesday 7/12

West Branch Library Renovation meeting

Did anyone here go to last night's West Branch Library redevelopment meeting?

Somerville West Branch Library Renovation/Garden Destruction

Friends of the Somerville Public Library Spring Book Sale May 15th-17th - and call for volunteers

"Cooks And Gardeners" book sale March 28 at the Arts at the Armory

Community Preservation Act Funding - Public Comment Period

Winter Book Sale at Library was a success. Thank you!

Friends of S'Ville Library Winter Book Sale (Nov 7-9)

Fundraiser at Flatbread on Tuesday, September 30th for The Friends of the Somerville Public Library.

Flatbread FUndraiser to support Friends of the Library. Sept 30.

Ball Square "little library" - Help??

Volunteer Thurs / Fri?: Friends of SPL book sale this week

Amazon will give 0.5% to Friends of the Somerville Public Library (MA)﻿ on your purchase

Cookbook sale at Armory Farmers Market this Saturday (9:30-2pm) - to benefit Friends of the Library

"Bagels With the Bards" reading Jan. 15 at 7 p.m. Free. Somerville Central Library

Visit the Little Free Libraries of Somerville

Today (right now!) and next 2 days - book sale at Somerville Library

Thursday 7pm: local author Sam Baltrusis will read from his book “Ghosts of Cambridge...and Beyond"

Friends of Somerville Library looking for book sale volunteers

Impact the Future of Davis Square!

Rohan "Whole Larder Love" Anderson - Benefit Night for Friends of Somerville Library - June 17

Friends of the Library | Spring Book Sale this weekend

Amazon will give 0.5% to Friends of the Somerville Public Library (MA) on your purchase